Obituary

Leonard Williams, 82, Maryland lawyer

Leonard John Williams II, a lawyer, died April 26 at his home in Easton, Md., of complications from a fall Dec. 20. He was 82.

Mr. Williams grew up in Chevy Chase. He attended Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School and graduated from Harvard University and George Washington University Law School. He was proud to receive his high school diploma 64 years late, having left high school a few months early, at age 17, to enlist in the Navy V-12 program. He was a lieutenant in the Navy serving as a gunnery officer aboard the USS Helena during World War II, as well as a contract negotiator and a small-business specialist in the Navy Bureau of Aeronautics during the Korean War.

He practiced law in Maryland for more than 50 years, living much of the time in Kensington. His active involvement in politics started in the fifth grade and continued until his death. He loved to travel and to be on or near the water.

Survivors include his wife of 59 years, Anne Newby Williams; four children, Jennifer L. Williams and Anne Williams Petosa of Easton, Robin Williams Ricketts of Richmond, and Jamie M.N. Williams of Laguna Beach, Calif.; and seven grandchildren. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Lawrence E. Williams Jr. and Thomas Richard Williams, and a sister, Julia Louise Williams Mullen.